"We're slowly edging toward getting something done," Axelrod said. "We're working hard at it. I don't think either side is excited about Craig filing for free agency. We would rather get it done without having to do that."

Players have until Saturday to file for free agency and can sign a deal with any team beginning Sunday. Biggio wants to avoid filing for free agency because of how some people may perceive the move.

Axelrod gave no promise of a deal being reached by the end of the week, but he did say he expects a "resolution" for Biggio to remain with Houston.

Redman is Royals' Pitcher of the Year: Mark Redman was Mr. Consistent for the Royals this season. As a result, he has been named as Kansas City's pitcher of the year.

"He had to be the guy," manager Buddy Bell told the Kansas City Star. "He was our All-Star, and he was consistent. With Red, you always knew what you were going to get.

"Hopefully, we'll get to the point in the future where there are a lot of candidates."

A free agent, the future is uncertain for the 11-game winner -- though he says he'd like to be back with the Royals, if that's possible.

"I look forward to what's to come it the future," he said. "To help this organization turn it around would be great. We'll have to see how it plays out."

The award, known as the Bruce Rice Pitcher of the Year award, was voted on by the Kansas City Chapter of the Baseball Writers' Association of America.

"I have to give credit to the guys behind me," Redman said. "They played outstanding throughout the year when I was on that mound."

Return to Dodgers may mean multiple positions for Garciaparra: Nomar Garciaparra was one of the great comeback stories in the National League as a first baseman for the Dodgers last season. Now a free agent, Garciaparra might not come back as a first baseman.

Garciaparra would be "open minded [about] playing first base, third base, maybe the outfield," agent Arn Tellem told the Los Angeles Times.

Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti indicated that if Garciaparra returns to the team that he would likely play more than one position but not constantly be on the move.

Rangers ponder bid for Matsuzaka: Wanting to add starting pitching this offseason, it appears the Texas Rangers plan to make a sealed bid for Japanese right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka. The bids are due by Wednesday afternoon and the winner will earn an exclusive negotiating window to sign Matsuzaka.

"We're looking at it," Rangers owner Tom Hicks said told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. "It's going to be a very competitive process."

The winning bid is expected to be around $20 million, with the New York Yankees, New York Mets, Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox rumored to be interested in Matsuzaka as well. The bid money goes to the Seibu Lions, Matsuzaka's current team, only if a contract with Matsuzaka is worked out.

Delgado won't exercise trade demand: The New York Mets don't have to worry about trading first baseman Carlos Delgado this offseason. The slugging left-hander had decided not to exercise his right to demand a trade.

Because he was acquired from the Florida Marlins in a trade just one year into a four-year deal, Delgado had the right to demand a trade.

While Delgado is happy to with the Mets, he would like the team to pick up his 2009 option. That is something the club is taking a wait-and-see attitude, but general manager Omar Minaya is happy with Delgado's decision.

"I'm hopeful that, at some point in time, we will exercise that option. Right now is not the right time," Minaya told Newsday. "That [2009] would be the year we go to a new stadium. He has bought a house in the area. He's involved in the community. We're hoping that he can play beyond the option with the New York Mets."

Delgado can actually vest the 2009 option through a "point system" that rewards him for how high he ranks in Most Valuable Player voting and for winning MVP honors in the NLCS or World Series.

Liriano's surgery successful: Twins pitcher Francisco Liriano underwent successful elbow reconstruction surgery on Monday, and despite having to miss all of next season, the prognosis is good.

"It went very well," Dr. John Steubs, who performed the procedure along with Angels team physician Dr. Lewis Yocum, told the Minneapolis Star Tribune. "The ligament was thinned and stretched and not completely torn. It really didn't appear to be as strong as we hoped. I'm pretty confident, based on what we saw, that he will do well."

Now Liriano starts rehab, and that will ultimately determine his future.

"There is no rush and no urgency," Twins General Manager Terry Ryan said. "If he does this right, there will be no questions about the player who is coming back because he will be his old self."